Projectors - Southcenter Theatre. The Southcenter Theatre, opened in April of 1970, was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America. Patrons could sit in comfort in one of the 1,228 plush seats and watch movies on a giant 88 x 32 feet curved screen. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen theater and never part of the multi-plex trend which later developed across the country. It would close in 2001 with its last performance of "Moulin Rouge." Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com- article)
Southcenter Theatre. Workers are busy doing finishing touches to the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila prior to the theater's opening night of April 1, 1970. With two weeks to spare, they are working in the spacious lobby. The theater was the last 70-mm Cinerama model built in North America. It would eventually close and be demolished in 2002. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Southcenter Theatre under construction. This is believed to be the auditorium of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila a few weeks before its grand opening on April 1, 1970. The theater would only have one screen but it would be an immense one - 88 feet wide and 32 feet high. The extremely curved screen would insure that all customers would have a good view when seated. Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
Southcenter Theatre. Rows of plush seats with armrests face the screen in the ultra-modern Southcenter Theatre prior to its April 1, 1970, opening night. The giant screen is curved (88 feet wide and 32 feet high) and floor-to-ceiling for the maximum benefit of its patrons. A man's jacket, possibly belonging to the Richards' photographer, is draped over an end seat. Southcenter Theatre had a single screen auditorium with seating capacity of 1,228. Publicity pictures ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Publicity pictures - Southcenter Theatre. Although the theater's marquee is bare, April 1, 1970, would be the opening night to showcase the new theater. "Topaz" would be the first film shown in the facility and actor John Forsythe would make a special appearance that evening. The ultra-modern building had walls of sheer glass and an overhanging roofline. Its design resembled the Tacoma Mall theater which had been built two years before. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila.
Bon Marche in 1970. This is believed to be the first floor (mall level) of the Bon Marche, located in the Tacoma Mall. Sturdy columns are interspersed on the floor, separating various departmental merchandise. The showcases in the foreground tastefully display well-known cosmetic manufacturers' products. Women's shoes and stockings are on separate tables. Aisles were constructed wide so that people could walk through easily without bumping into cases/tables or one another. The Bon Marche was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall, opening for business in 1964 months before other stores. Althought the Bon started as a local business, it became part of a national concern, and in 2003 became known locally as Bon Macy's. By 2005 all stores were just called Macy's. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Bon Marche. By March of 1970, the Bon Marche located in the Tacoma Mall was nearly six years old. It was the first store opened in the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and at 256,000 square feet, the largest department store in Pierce County. It attracted crowds of 150,000 on its first day of business causing massive traffic woes. Even though the Bon Marche would be the only occupant in the mall for nearly a year, business continued to thrive. The lure of plenty of free parking, quality of products and services offered, and easy freeway access drew thousands to shop at the Bon. View of the Bon Marche and attached Cascade Room restaurant; the restaurant was accessible both from inside the mall and outside the building. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Machinery. Globe Machine, a longtime Tacoma manufacturing company, built machines for the plywood industry. This is believed to be a glue spreader. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.
Post Exchange Service Station No. 1. 1970 Richards stock footage. View of Post Exchange Service Station No. 1 believed to be located on Fort Lewis. Multiple booths per rows of pumps. Snow-topped Mount Rainier provides a beautiful backdrop.
Automobile service stations--Fort Lewis; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building at night. The ultra-modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building shines brightly into the night in January in 1970. Sheer glass walls and modern fixtures have replaced the massive ornate original structure. The venerable Bernice Building next door was also demolished to create a much larger Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building in 1964. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products. TPL-5668
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;
View of savings department, Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. The savings department was positioned close to two elevators in the new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building, 1102-08 Pacific Ave. A large framed statement of assets and liabilities, dated December 31, 1969, hangs on the wall close by. This area was set aside only for savings deposits and/or withdrawls; separate insurance and loan service departments handled matters pertaining to those fields. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan had opened their expanded offices in September of 1964. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan building at night. This is the 11th & Commerce St. side of the ultra-modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. The structure, built in 1964, had two entrances - one on Pacific Ave. and the other up the hill on Commerce where George Tsutakawa's bronze "lily" fountain was installed. The glass walls enabled the interior to be clearly visible especially at night when it was extremely well lit. Puget Sound National Bank's lighted spire is in the photograph's background. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fountains--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);
This distinctive bronze "lily" fountain, designed by the noted Japanese-American sculptor and painter George Tsutakawa, was created for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan at 1102-08 Pacific Avenue. It was installed outside the entrance at the corner of South 11th and Commerce. Mr. Tsutakawa, who served on the faculty of the University of Washington's School of Art from 1947 until his retirement in 1976, created over sixty public fountains, installed throughout North America and Japan. He sought to explore the relationship of man to nature; his fountain sculptures were "an attempt to unify water--the life force of the universe that flows in an elusive cyclical course throughout eternity--with an immutable metal sculpture." Mr. Tsutakawa died in 1997 at the age of 87; his "lily" fountain was moved to the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new Lakewood branch in 1974. (www.washington.edu/research/showcase/1947a.html)
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma;
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. - interior. The carpeted and tiled floor is empty of customers and staff in the evening of January 8, 1970. This area of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building may be the home loans department with the safe deposit vault not visible. Large tables and comfortable arm chairs are spaced far enough apart so that there is a feeling of privacy and the floor is well lit. The open-air arrangement, sans walls, may present a more welcoming atmosphere for clients. Signs guide customers to the various departments; it is possible that the insurance, savings and loan service departments were located on the 2nd floor. Photograph ordered by Jewel Electric Products.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Desks; Chairs;
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. The single screen auditorium had 1,228 seats. Due to the giant 88 x 32-foot high curved screen, patrons would have had good views from any seat in the house. The screen was flanked by floor length curtains. The Southcenter Theatre opened in April of 1970 and went dark in August of 2001. The first film shown was Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz," and the last, "Moulin Rouge." Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (ww.cinematour.com)
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre--lobby. The circular snack bar stands empty of customers in this 1970 color photograph of the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila. Its burnished wood tones and colored display screen of fiery gold and muted blues complement the gold-and-brown mixed pattern carpet. There was an abundance of soft recessed lighting. The theater celebrated its opening night on April 1, 1970, with Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz" as the feature presentation. Color photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. "Ben Hur" was the feature presentation at the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila during part of the summer of 1970. The theater had just opened in April of that year with a special guest appearance by actor John Forsythe promoting his film, "Topaz." Patrons enjoyed the free parking supplied by the theater as well as the building's modern facilities. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen movie house and run by United Theaters.
Back of Photo: Old Barnacle Bill's Leveled- A longtime Tacoma waterfront landmark, Barnacle Bill's Cafe at the intersection of 11th Street and Port of Tacoma Road, was leveled early last week. The structure has been a cafe since the 1930s and was moved to the site from across 11th Street in 1941, according to owner Ben Erhart, who bought the establishment in 1950. The cleared site will be developed as a parking lot for the new, enlarged Barnacle Bill's, which has opened its doors to the rear of the site.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. Elevated view from the screen's prospective of auditorium in the new Southcenter Theatre in 1970. Most of the 1,228 red plush seats are visible above. The rows of chairs were marked and spaced widely enough for patrons to pass through without inconveniencing those already seated. Elegant floor-length curtains are visible on all sides of the auditorium. Color photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. The newly opened Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila invited the public to view "Ben Hur" in its ultra-modern facilities in 1970. The film had been released in 1959 and won a (then) record-setting 11 Academy Awards. Because Southcenter Theatre was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America, moviegoers could watch the thrilling chariot race on the 88 x 32-foot curved screen without missing the panoramic shots or outstanding audio. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre. (www.cinematour.com; en.wikipedia.org) TPL-6197
Seattle-First National Bank established itself in Tacoma with its purchase of the Bank of Tacoma's four branches. December 1, 1969, was Seattle-First's first day in town. Pictured above are staff members of the South Tacoma branch, 5813 South Tacoma Way, with Joseph H. Blissenbach continuing as branch manager. This branch had been the original main office of the (then) South Tacoma State Bank. The Bank of Tacoma had only been in business since 1963; its president and board of directors would assume roles in the Seattle-First organization. Photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 11-29-69, p. 1)
Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma;
Staff of Seattle-First National Bank's South Tacoma branch. December 1, 1969, was the first day for Seattle-First in Tacoma. The bank, largest in the state with 134 offices, had absorbed the four branches of the Bank of Tacoma. All Bank of Tacoma employees would be retained. This is the staff of the South Tacoma branch, headed by Joseph H. Blissenbach. George D. Van de Mark and Ivar Turnquist were the assistant managers. The Bank of Tacoma had been organized in 1963 as the South Tacoma State Bank and the South Tacoma location was the original main office at that time. Photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 11-29-69, p. 1)
Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma;
Lakewood Summer Festival princess Jana Oglesbee grabs a winning entry at the United Mutual Savings Bank's grand opening of their Lakewood community branch on November 10, 1969. Although the branch officially opened on November 1st, November 10th was selected as the date of the prize drawings. First prize was an 18" portable Admiral color TV; a Polaroid color camera was awarded as the second prize and a short wave radio given away as third prize. Robert E. Kahle was the branch manager in charge of a staff of three full-time employees. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 10-29-69, D-15; TNT Ad 10-31-69, C-1)
United Mutual Savings Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Awards; Oglesbee, Jana;
Ball joint press and gauge in use at Bohannon's Bridgeport Service Station, 11026 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood on September 29, 1969. Stress placed on ball joints made them one of the most common suspension parts to wear out. Bohannon's Bridgeport Service was owned and operated by James Bohannon. Photograph ordered by Lomac, Inc., Seattle.
New tire store. Baldwin Tire & Brake Service opened for business in September of 1969 in the old OK Tire Store building. It was located at 1922 Tacoma Ave. So. and offered both new tires and retreads, including El Dorado and Goodrich brands. Front end alignment and brake service were also provided. Owner and operator Leonard Baldwin was a former real estate salesman for Frank Russell & Associates and a retired Army sergeant. Mr. Baldwin is believed to be the second man to the right in this September 22, 1969, group photograph. He was the sixth in the nation to utilize funds available through the (then) eight-month old minority enterprise program of the Small Business Administration. The loan to purchase the tire store was made possible through a special partnership from tire dealers and the SBA to help minorities obtain and operate their own tire business. Photograph ordered by R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service. The large OK sign was still fastened to the roof of the tire store at 19th and Tacoma Ave So. now owned by Leonard Baldwin in September of 1969. Now called Baldwin Tire & Brake Service, the store sold new tires and retreads, emphasizing the El Dorado and Goodrich brands, and also fixed flats for 96 cents or tubeless tires for $1.25. A customer could also have his vehicle's front end aligned and brakes repaired. Store owner Leonard Baldwin, a former real estate salesman and retired Army sgt., was able to purchase the business with the help of a minority enterprise program. This September 22, 1969, general view also indicates the wooded and shrub-filled lot next to the tire store had recently been sold by Wm. C. Johnston, realtor. Photograph ordered by the R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);
James Will at the Titus-Will Ford dealership. Jim Will and Leon Titus were co-founders of the dealership in 1938. Awards and plaques on wall behind him. Photograph ordered by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Awards; Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Will, James W.;
Seeking to make the car-buying experience as pleasant as possible, Titus-Will Ford built its salesman closing office with ceiling-to-floor windows to bring in natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor landscaping. The customer was positioned so that he could rest his eyes on the trees and shrubbery beyond the salesman; lower windows could also be opened to let in fresh air. A salesman is shown on September 16, 1969, pointing out the details of a new Ford in a glossy magazine to a prospective client. Photograph ordered by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, for a "dealers publication."
Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;
James Will, of Titus-Will Ford, stands next to the large engraving commemorating one of the co-founders of the firm, Leon E.Titus. Mr. Titus, who passed away in 1966, was one of Tacoma's best known automobile dealers. The pair opened a downtown Ford dealership in 1938. Titus Motor Co. offered Ford trucks and cars at its downtown Tacoma location for decades. The dealership moved to its Tacoma Mall-area location next to I-5 in 1967. Photograph ordered by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan.
Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Engravings; Titus, Leon E.--Associated objects; Will, James W.;
Firestone grand opening. The staff of the Highland Hills Firestone, 5939 Sixth Ave., posed in front of their newly opened facility on July 28, 1969. Besides tires, Firestone offered complete auto service performed by qualified mechanics. Televisions, stereos, kitchen and laundry appliances were also sold at this location. Dave McCallen ( standing second from left ) managed the new store. He was assisted by office & credit manager Roger Boswell, passenger tire sales manager Robert Fisher and service manager Ken Badgley. Photograph ordered by Firestone. (TNT 7-27-69, D-9)
